can anyone tell me the estimated start up costs

BigAnth · Mar 18, 2010

can anyone give me an estimated start up cost of a micro brewery. its my dream to work for myself brewin fine ales but have no idea of the initial costs involved in starting up. any info will be greatly appreciated

cheers guys

biganth

Aleman · Mar 18, 2010

Ok it depends on how big you want to start. . . Looking at say a 4BBL plant (which should provide a full time income for one brewer) then you are probably looking at 13K for the kit . . . you should allow 2 to 3 times the cost for premises and 'works' . . . and then you are looking at cask costs A stainless nine is about 75 quid . . . plastic is 35 quid . . . and at any time you will have 75% of your cask stock out in the trade . . . sometimes it can be 18 months or more before you get your casks returned . . . especially if you sell via wholesalers.

A 4BBL plant will produce 16 nines every batch . . . brew twice a week and that is 32 casks a week . . . if that is going to be a quarter of your stock then you need 128 nines . . . I'd double that to be on the safe side.

As you can see cost of plant is more or less immaterial . . . The Brewer at Wibblers bought an 18BBL plant for less than the 4BBL cost mentioned above (Bankrupt Auction) . . . but has had to invest a significant amount of additional cost in his cask stock . . . and the time and money involved in keeping track of what cask is where.

You might want to get hold of a copy of The Microbrewers Handbook by Ted Brunning which may well put you off going professional . . .it may also give you just the kick you need to walk into this with your eyes open.

jamesb · Mar 18, 2010

Aleman beat me to it while I was typing.

Never mind.

Just work out a number going by his information, and then double it.

jonewer · Mar 18, 2010

Have you done any brewing before? What if you find you dont like brewing?

Hope I'm not being silly here but maybe you should try your hand at a few dozen 10 gallon all grain brews before you think of going commercial?

Beer Belly · Mar 18, 2010

I think people just look at the enjoyment they get from making and drinking home brew and don't really see all the **** that goes with doing it professionally. I guess a lot of business is like that though. It seams there should be more effort put into marketing than actually making the stuff, which kind of sucks. :hmm:

Slaine · Mar 19, 2010

I'm looking to start up commercially on a part time basis in the next year or two, when i'm happy that my brewing knowledge and skills are up to scratch.

I've owned business's in the past and still part own a small garment printing setup, so i know just how hard it is to get things up and running, alas the actual brewing is just the tip of of the iceberg cost wise.

Even so, a ruined batch on a 2-4 barrel brew is still a lot of time and money down the drain literally if things arent right.

Allthough none of this will put me off, it will just take time and planning to do properly. :)

The Microbrewers Handbook is definately worth getting.